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1st XV News

Bedford Blues Followers Association will be travelling to away games in style this season having chosen Blunham based coach operators Chiltern Travel as their provider. The Followers are also delighted to announce that fares for trips around the Championship will be considerably reduced on last season.

The first away trip of the new season on the Followers Coach is this Friday's visit to Nottingham. There is still time to book your space by calling Margaret Appleton on 01234 354708. The coach will leave Goldington Road at 4pm and fares for adults are £16 while it will cost £8 for juniors. Bookings are also being taken for the following matches:

The score line may not look pretty but Bedford Blues will have taken plenty of positives from their final pre-season friendly against a very strong Saracens team.

The Premiership and European giants ran in seven tries while the Blues only points came courtesy of a first half James Pritchard penalty but Mike Rayer’s men certainly didn’t roll over and gave the visitors plenty to think about during the 80 minutes. An impressive 3,126 people turned up to watch the now traditional friendly encounter between the two clubs and they were treated to a full throttle affair with both teams looking to impress their supporters while never giving an inch to the opposition.

Bedford Blues are proud to announce that their new kit for the 2014/15 Greene King IPA Championship season will be launched and worn by the players when they face Saracens on Friday night for the final pre-season fixture.

While the design of the new home and away kit had been kept a closely guarded secret, Blues fans will be happy to see the return of Cambridge and Oxford blue hoops. The new, more traditional looking jersey will be available to purchase on the night in the Club Shop from 6pm.

Bedford Blues fans will be back at Goldington Road on Saturday morning (August 30) as they carry out the fifth and final tidy-up session ahead of the 2014/15 Championship season.

Following successful sessions members of Bedford Blues Followers Association will be at the ground from 8am until 1pm and are looking for other fans to join them as they continue in the clean up of Goldington Road.

As with previous sessions, gardening gloves are advisable and please bring any small garden tools that you may have that could be of use.

Bedford came up short in their second pre-season friendly at Vallis Way on Saturday as hosts Ealing Trailfinders won 34-25 writes Ted Kemplen of the Bedford Times & Citizen.

Ealing put six tries past Bedford on the 3G pitch in west London, in a game which saw a lot of free flowing rugby. Blues kicked off the clash and immediately pressed Ealing, England U20 winger Nathan Earle making a good tackle to keep the hosts in their half.

Then director of coaching and Ealing number 10 for the afternoon, Ben Ward, was caught offside but Steffan Jones couldn’t get Bedford off the mark from the tee.

Bedford Blues have named a 28 man squad to face Ealing Trailfinders on Saturday afternoon with debuts for a host of new players.

England Under 20 star and Junior World Championship winner Nathan Earle is named on the wing while Billy Moss starts at loosehead prop, Jared Saunders takes his place at hooker and Eoin Sheriff comes into the second row. Nick Fenton-Wells captains the team from Number 8.

Bedford Blues would like to wish Colin Barnes – the chairman of Lifesure Group – a very happy 80th birthday.

Colin has been a long-time fan of the Blues and his company have been extremely proud sponsors of the club for the past nine years providing much needed support which has been greatly appreciated by everyone at the club. Colin and his wife Elizabeth will be celebrating his landmark birthday at their home on the Isle of Man but everyone at Goldington Road wishes him a very happy birthday and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Bedford Blues season tickets for the 2014/15 Greene King IPA Championship campagin have been posted this week and should be with holders very very soon.

While every effort is made for your ticket to arrive quickly and safely, there is always the chance that it will take a little longer than expected. If you have not received your ticket by the weekend then please contact the club as quickly as possible so that we can address the issue.

There is only one place to be on a Thursday night and that is Goldington Road as Club Night launches once again this week after the summer break.

While the playing and coaching staff will be putting the finishing touches to their preparations for the wekend's encounter on the hallowed turf, the Scrum Bar will be opening up at 7pm for fans to come along and enjoy a drink and a catch up with fellow Blues while watching the players train.At around 8pm the big screen will be lowered and a re-run of the previous weeks clash - the six try victory over Old Albanians - will be aired.